Bio

Michelle Dickens earned her BFA in Illustration from Syracuse University in 2003 and her MFA Illustration degree from the School of Visual Arts in 2005. Michelle's career includes visual development and environment artwork for animation and game studios on a wide spectrum of projects ranging from television series and advertisements to virtual reality and online games. Most notably during her tenure in the industry, she has held the role of Supervising Storybook Artist at Nickelodeon Animation Studios on "Dora the Explorer" and "Dora and Friends: Into the City." Among her clients are MTV Animation, Titmouse Inc. and Curious Pictures; credits include "The Venture Bros." "Bubble Guppies," and "Go, Diego, Go!" Michelle has also worked as the lead concept artist at Phaser Lock Interactive on the virtual reality game, "Final Approach." Passionate about delivering a quality education to aspiring creative professionals, Michelle has taught at Syracuse University, the Austin Community College, and the Gemini School of Visual Arts and Communication. She has also appeared as a guest lecturer and art judge for numerous educational programs and game development organizations including AAUGA Austin, Women in Games Austin, and Game Worlds. Michelle is a member of Plein Air Austin and currently teaches art in Round Rock ISD.

Duties: Drawing and painting storybook art, including designing new characters, props and backgrounds. Scheduling dates for booking freelance artists and delegating work assignments among the creative team. Supervising art output for tight deadlines. Communicating revision needs to artists. Meeting with writers and research analysts to collaborate on storybook design content; thumbnailing art panels during conferences. Printing final panels for field research.

ROUND ROCK ISD- Round Rock, TX 2016-PresentArt TeacherInstructs elementary students on art history, principles, theory and practical skills. Demonstrates techniques for various materials and applications, evaluates projects and exhibits student work both on campus and in locations around the district. Organizes and orders art resources, plans engaging and enriching lessons within the approved curriculum that incorporate differentiation for diverse learners, and attends professional development conferences. Developed an after school spring animation club and assists with the fall art club.

GEMINI SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS AND COMMUNICATION Cedar Park, TX 2014-2016Instructor-Children’s Book Illustration Course, Sketch ClassChildren's Book Course-Created and taught a curriculum that focused on the illustration process for the publishing market and the development of a career portfolio. Emphasis placed on composition, design, character creation, pacing, consistency, color arcs, and text layout in progressing the visual narrative.Sketch Course-Organized and taught a figure drawing curriculum in a multilevel classroom. Focus on motion, proportion, balance, weight, shape and form through a series of quick poses, anatomy exercises, and hand, feet and head studies.